Pot lid holder

ABSTRACT

A pot lid holder, including: a flexible member; and a restraining mechanism that secures opposite ends of the flexible member together when the flexible member has been wrapped around a pot lid handle. The flexible member is configured to wrap under a pot lid handle, and preferably has a length of between 4 and 7 inches, an end width of between 2 and 4 inches, and a center width of between 1 and 3 inches.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention prevents a user from burning their hands whenlifting a pot lid on a stove.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Pot lids become hot during cooking. Currently, many cooks have to resortto putting on oven mitts when peeking into pots on the stove. This isproblematic since the cook is forced to put on and then take off theiroven mitts many times when cooking. This makes cooking “clumsy”. A needexists to provide a system where a person cooking can open and close potlids without burning their hands.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a pot lid holder, comprising: a flexiblemember; and a restraining mechanism that secures opposite ends of theflexible member together when the flexible member has been wrappedaround a pot lid handle. The flexible member is preferably made fromsilicone, plastic, or fabric, but is not so limited. Other materials maybe used. In one embodiment, the restraining mechanism may comprise anelastic that wraps around the flexible member. In another embodiment,the restraining mechanism may comprise snap connectors disposed at theopposite ends of the flexible membrane.

In one preferred embodiment, the flexible member has a length of between4 and 7 inches, an end width of between 2 and 4 inches, and a centerwidth of between 1 and 3 inches. Preferably, the flexible member has anend width at least 120% to 200% greater than its center width. It is tobe understood, however, that such dimensions are merely exemplary, andare not limiting.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of the pot lid holder,having an elastic band-type restraining mechanism.

FIG. 2A is an illustration of a first steep in using the device of FIG.1, showing the pot lid holder being slipped under the handle of a potlid.

FIG. 2B is an illustration of a second steep in using the device of FIG.1, showing the ends of the device being held together above the pot lid.

FIG. 2C is an illustration of a third steep in using the device of FIG.1, showing the elastic band restraining mechanism wrapped around theflexible member.

FIG. 3 is a view of a second embodiment of the invention, similar toFIG. 2C, but with snap connectors instead holding the ends of the devicetogether.

FIG. 4 is a view of a third embodiment of the invention which does nothave a separate restraining mechanism.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A first embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1, with the use ofthe device shown in FIGS. 2A to 2C, as follows.

FIG. 1 shows pot lid holder 10, comprising: a flexible member 12; and arestraining mechanism 14. As illustrated, restraining mechanism 14 maysimply be an elastic 15 that wraps around flexible member 12. Elastic 15is preferably attached to flexible member 12, but need not be attached.

Flexible member 12 may optionally be made from silicone, but is not solimited. For example, flexible member 12 may also be made from plastic,fabric or any other suitable material. Preferably, the material whichforms flexible member 12 is selected such that it has a sufficientlyhigh coefficient of friction such that it holds onto pot lid handle 20(FIGS. 2A to 4) without slipping. In addition, the material which formsflexible member 12 is preferably selected such it insulates a user fromthe heat of pot lid handle 20.

Referring next to FIG. 2A, a user slips one end of flexible member 12underneath of a pot lid handle 20. Next, as seen in FIG. 2B, the userpulls both of the ends of flexible member 12 together above pot lidhandle 20. Lastly, as shown in FIG. 2C, flexible elastic member 14 isstretched around flexible member 12, locking flexible member 12 aroundpot lid handle 20 pointing upwards, when flexible member 12 has beenwrapped around pot lid handle 20, as shown. Due to the flexible natureof member 12 and the elastic nature of restraint 15, the present pot lidholder 10 will easily remain at a fixed location, with its ends pointingupwards, as shown.

In preferred embodiments, flexible member 12 has a length L of between 4and 7 inches. This is advantageous in that it keeps the cooks hands somesafe distance above heated pot lid handle 20.

Also in preferred embodiments, flexible member 12 has an end width EW ofbetween 2 and 4 inches; and a center width CW of between 1 and 3 inches.Most preferably, flexible member 12 has an end width EW that is at least120% to 200% greater than its center width CW. These dimensions areadvantageous as follows. First, having a width of at least 2 inches, itis easy for a cook to grasp onto the pot lit holder. However, having awidth of less than 4 inches, it is easy to slip flexible membrane 12under standard sized pot lid handles 20. Second, having an end width EWthat is at least 120% to 200% greater than its center width CW helps tofix elastic member 15 around pot lid handle 20. Specifically, having thenarrowest portion of the device at its center urges elastic 14 downwardstowards pot lid handle 20.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention in which restrainingmechanism 14 instead comprises a series of snap connectors 16 disposednear the ends of flexible membrane 12. Snap connectors 16 may be cut,formed, molded or attached onto flexible membrane 12.

Lastly, FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention in whichflexible membrane 12 has sufficient rigidity to wrap around pot lidhandle 20 such that an additional restraint 14 (such as elastic band 15or snaps 16) is not required.

1. A pot lid holder, comprising: a flexible member; and a restrainingmechanism that secures opposite ends of the flexible member togetherwhen the flexible member has been wrapped around a pot lid handle. 2.The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein the flexible member is made fromat least one of the group consisting of silicone, plastic or fabric. 3.The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein the restraining mechanismcomprises: an elastic that wraps around the flexible member.
 4. The potlid holder of claim 3, wherein the elastic is affixed to the flexiblemember.
 5. The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein the restrainingmechanism comprises: snap connectors disposed at the opposite ends ofthe flexible membrane.
 6. The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein theflexible member has a length of between 4 and 7 inches.
 7. The pot lidholder of claim 1, wherein the flexible member has an end width ofbetween 2 and 4 inches.
 8. The pot lid holder of claim 1, wherein theflexible member has a center width of between 1 and 3 inches.
 9. The potlid holder of claim 1, wherein the flexible member has an end width atleast 120% to 200% greater than its center width.
 10. A pot lid holder,comprising: a flexible member configured to wrap under a pot lid handle,the flexible member having a length of between 4 and 7 inches, an endwidth of between 2 and 4 inches, and a center width of between 1 and 3inches.
 11. The pot lid holder of claim 10, wherein the flexible memberis made from at least one of the group consisting of silicone, plasticor fabric.
 12. The pot lid holder of claim 10, wherein the flexiblemember has an end width at least 120% to 200% greater than its centerwidth.